Rare disease: letting go of guidelines and still wearing a mask

So today in the Netherlands a lot of the guidelines about covid have been let go, like the social distance one. I must say I find it a bit scary but I mean I get it, that also mainly has to do with my situation, my health, my family’s health. But that is why especially on a day like today I wanted to share something. Some of you already know me, a lot of you probably won’t. 

So hi there, I am Poppy, I am chronically ill, I am fully vaccinated, I still keep my distance and I still wear a mask.  when I do need to come in contact with people. Just bear with me a second on why I am writing this and why I think it is important. I have been thinking about writing this post for the past couple of two weeks. I didn’t want to write it at first because I thought it might seem annoyed or something. But I have been thinking and I think it could help some people see some things from a different perspective. 

So this was the case: as some of you may know I am chronically ill with a rare disease. Therefore I have been very careful these past 1,5 years. I have been living a very isolated life, which I am no stranger to but you can read that in another blog post of mine. Even before all this I mostly had my groceries delivered at home. Ever since the pandemic hit the globe I have been careful, no close contact, have been using a mask and asking the deliverance to place the groceries by the door etcetera. I am always a bit down the hall, with a mask and I have the door open so I can say hello. Mostly they ask where to put the groceries since most companies didn’t let their employees deliver inside the house anymore due to the pandemic. Or I sometimes ask them to just leave the groceries on the doorstep or just over it. And if someone does want to place the groceries in the house which I get is just a nice gesture or something that is so wired in their system, I just ask them if they would place them on the doorstep or just over the doorstep because that’s just fine. And mostly their response is a bit of relief like they don’t have to carry all those groceries inside or like are you sure and that it is no problem, which still I get is a nice thing. But sometimes, and in these past years with the pandemic, it just only happens a few times, they are just too quick and already inside the house so I have to ask them to please keep their distance and I say that I am fine with it if they put the groceries over the doorstep. And again most of their reactions are like are you sure it is fine, which is just nice. But recently it was a bit different, still, the delivery person was super nice and just helpful and my guess is it is just a bit different now that most of us are vaccinated and we already knew about the upcoming changes to the policies and guidelines. So this time the delivery person was too quick, already in the house, so I backed up a bit and asked them to place the groceries just there over the doorstep. Since he took another step I said I liked it if we kept our distances. He was kind and laughed it off a bit but then he said a bit condescending and laughing well then I know for sure you are not vaccinated… Like uhm Oke… so I told him with a bit of an annoyed tone well yes I am fully vaccinated, which he again laughed a bit too, and I replied that I am but I still need to be careful because I am very sick. To which he was like oh oh like so. And seriously I get that some might be confused or maybe even like you don’t have the covid or anything right?! And I am fine I someone would just ask. I just say it like it is like that I am fully vaccinated but I am chronically Ill so I have to be extra careful. 

The reason I made this post is that even after today a day where most guidelines have ended I still will be social distancing, still be wearing a mask if I feel I need to, in a public place, at the doctor's, getting my groceries, opening my front door, etc. I really hoped that at the beginning of this pandemic people would start to see things more from a different perspective and have more understanding for people who are (chronically ill) or have disabilities. And that is why I wrote this post to let people see a different side. I do hope people will start to think more inclusive because if people who now feel like an outsider because they have to show a corona app to go to the theater, out to dinner, have lunch with friends. I ask them to try see from a different perspective because we have always been the outsiders even long before this global pandemic hit the globe things weren't inclusive for people with (chronic) illnesses and disabilities. Just imagine how they felt these past years. Loads of their worlds have become so small you can't even imagine and now because some feel they are left ut because they need a pass or an app or such to go places, they are creating a bigger gap again to those who have already been left out.

I could make an even larger post but I just wanted to give my experience as an example as to why some would still wear a mask or still keep their distance and why this would be greatly appreciated if that where to be respected. 

Happy Mothers day - free printable cards

Upcoming Sunday is Mothers day and that is why I made some new printable cards. All you have to do is click here to download the PDF. Don't forget to check out the crafting page and the colouring pages page to find some more mothers day printable and diy tutorials. Have fun!

Poppy Makes... free Mother's Day printable + a list of previous Mother's Day DIY's

So since most of us are in isolation, loads of kids aren't going to school which means no crafted Mothers day gifts. Although they are going back to school over here in the Netherlands on the 11th of May and Motherday's day has then passed already. That is why I thought I would make some new printables which you can download for free including instructions, all you have to do is click here. Plus I have put a list down below on some previous Mother's day tutorials and printables. Have fun!

  

Click on any of the following pictures and it will lead you to the FREE printable or click the video tutorial to start watching. Don't forget that if you liked video to give a thumbs up and to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you'll never miss a thing.

Have fun!

  

 

 

Week without meat, did you? 🌿 + an all pantry falafel recipe

This whole week is the week without meat in the Netherlands. That is why last week I posted a piece on how I feel on eating less meat, how I like to change my diet towards meat and a video in which I show you how I make my completely vegan chocolate mousse. If you haven't read that post yet just click here. But just a small recap I am not a vegetarian or a vegan but I am in a place in life where I want to change that and since I don't do to well with change overnight I set a goal for myself where I want to go from flexitarian to vegetarian to maybe even vegan. But all that aside today I have uploaded my take on making a super easy falafel which you can seriously make the last minute with all the thing you have in your pantry, plus I don't deep fry them. In the video on the baking page, I will show you step by step what I have used. Falafel is seriously one of my favourites dishes without meat and it takes no time at all to make from scratch. And what I really like about a week without meat is that a lot of supermarkets will have meat substitutes on sale which is a good opportunity to try out some substitutes you haven't tried before, so do check it out whit your local supermarket. I hope I have given you some ideas. And don't forget to please let me know if you have tried the mousse or the falafel what you thought of it. Tag me on Instagram or let me know on Twitter or Facebook. Have fun cooking.

x Poppy

Week without meat, could you? 🍀

Next week is the national week without meat. And because of that, I have just uploaded a new video on how to make a vegan chocolate mouse on my YouTube channel and next week, when it actually is the week without meat, I'll be uploading a video on how to make, my take, super easy falafel. All that I am going to show you with just the use of 2 cans of chickpeas. And maybe also why you can make a dark vegan chocolate mouse and can't make a white chocolate mouse, at least I couldn't because maybe one thing didn't go as planned.

But al joking aside you might wonder are a vegetarian or are you a vegan. To both, I still have to say no but that doesn't mean I don't consider what I eat and that I find it important to eat less meat. I have set a goal for myself that in time I would like to be on a completely vegetarian diet and maybe even in the future a completely vegan diet. And a week without meat would be a great way to start if you are considering eating less meat or become a vegetarian or a vegan. It is a great opportunity to try out new recipes, options and/or to add these to your regular diet.

I have considered myself becoming more and more, as they would say, a flexitarian over the past couple of years as were I have started to eat less and less meat and I am trying to build that out and for me, I don't think I can do it overnight. But I do feel it is something I can learn and that I can change in my way of life. And maybe loads wouldn't agree, that's fine, but for me, I must be willing to put the effort into the change I would like to see. And I always think progress is better than perfection. I read somewhere once, think it might have been on Instagram, someone who said what if you could go completely vegan but without giving up on chocolate, just do so. That is such a huge step and that made me think to myself what if I just give myself time to get used to an all-vegetarian and even in the future an all-vegan diet just these tiny little steps would and could make a huge difference in the world.

And still, there are so many more diets between vegetarian and vegan that would still make a great impact on the world. You could consider eating only fish or poultry if going completely vegetarian or vegan would be a too big a leap for you. The impact that a tiny piece of meat has on the environment and let alone on the tiny piece of meat itself or like the impact it would be if you switched to all plant-based milk in your daily cup of coffee.

I know I am not good at change so I set a goal for myself where I slowly find the right changes to my diet and I think that is okay too. I am not here to tell you you should all go vegan but you might want to consider to eat less meat or eating more vegetarian/vegan or even looking at like say sweets you eat and only eat those with non-animal produce or trying out new vegetarian/vegan recipes with friends or even things like using plant-based butter which isn't something "new to the trend" at all. Cause I do see products which have been vegetarian/vegan all along without being labelled vegetarian/vegan now promoting we are vegetarian/vegan. That's what I meant by new to the trend and because it is more common now these days to be a vegan or have vegan options. And of course, I understand brands and businesses want to hop on that wagon I get all that. But that also means you might not have to look for big changes is what I am saying because you might be able to swap a product you use daily easily for a vegetarian/vegan option.

For instance, I like eating yoghurt in the morning with some fruits etcetera but I have long ago switched my regular cowmilk based yoghurt for a plant-based option. And I must say that some options are absolutely delicious and some well they weren't my taste. So my point is you might not like a certain type of flavour or brand but maybe you can try out a different every week or month. This way you won't have to change everything all at once and you can find your type of plant base yoghurt or milk or substitute for meat. This way you can add it bit by bit to your regular diet and maybe before you know it you are a flexitarian.

So to celebrate the week without meat I thought it would be fun to show you two of my favourite vegan options. Because vegan doesn't mean you can only eat veggies and that is it. There are so many great vegetarian/vegan options and recipes. And it also doesn't mean you have to be a vegan to eat vegan, it just means it could make your diet as it is more diverse.

And I know some substitutes for burgers, ground beef, chicken etcetera can be expensive and vegan meals can be expensive but I promise you there are some very good options that are really tasty and not expensive. Also if you do it yourself, make it from scratch it really doesn't have to be expensive at all. And even if you are not a vegan but you do mind waste these two videos will be something for you to watch cause because of this there will be no wast you'll use the chickpeas, the liquid that it is in and you could even use the cans for like say gardening.

My point being a week without meat doesn't have to be boring or plain when you can't have meat and is worth to try out new meatless recipes. And trust me I am still a beginner at this whole thing as well so I'll probably make loads of mistakes in the progress and I won't get everything right straight away. And I still need loads more inspiration myself but as long as I make progress and I am willing to try I think it will be okay.

x Poppy

Happy Rare Disease Day!

As the title may already have given it away; today is international rare disease day. That is no coincidence of course with it today being February 29. And because of it, I wanted to help raise awareness of why it is important to have a day like today which asks for awareness of rare diseases and conditions plus also to share a little of my story and why this issue hits close to home.

Well, I have a rare disease and have been struggling with it mentally and physically since I have gotten sick 12 years ago, at age 20. In my case, only 1 in 1.000.000 people are affected by the disease and because mine is familial it's even rarer, even fewer people have what I have. I never like to talk about me being sick not even to my close friends and family. And that is actually the reason I started Poppy Makes.

I wanted a place where no one would see me as the sick girl and a place where I could feel more like the "old me". And because it has always been about what I make or bake, I never felt the need to share that part of my life. But in time I have learned that it is so important to speak about it to your loved ones. So it becomes the new normal, I mean define normal but you get where I'm going with this, normal for you so you won't feel the odd one out. And although I think it will always be a process and to learn to deal with all that comes along, I am at a point in life where I would like to share more about me in the hope that others might not feel so alone.

But what is a rare disease and how is a rare disease or condition defined? Although, I am not the person to come up with statistics because statistics don’t say anything about the individual. But that being said and to give you more of an idea. By European standards, a disease or condition is found rare when fewer than 1 in 2.000 people are affected. In the United States, it is considered rare when a disease or condition affects fewer than 200.000 people or 1 in 1.500. In Japan, a disease or condition is found rare when fewer than 50.000 people or 1 in 2.500 are affected. In medical literature it various how they define when a disease is rare from 1 in 1.000 to 1 in 200.000. But just because a disease is rare doesn't mean you may not know someone with a rare disease because there are about 5000-7000 rare diseases known to mankind today. And the estimation is there are 300.000.000 people affected by a rare disease or condition. Because diseases are rare it is also more difficult to research and to develop the right medicine and/or treatment just because there is a lack of market large enough to gain support and resources for discovering the right medicine and/or treatment.

So to give you an example and idea of a rare disease; you may have heard of ALS which got more publicity over the last few years. Just to be clear I myself do not have ALS I only took this as an example of what it means for a rare disease to get more awareness. So as I said you may have heard the disease ALS, it even went viral in the summer of 2014 because of the Ice Bucket Challenge. It has been estimated that there are about 16.000 ALS patients in America at any given time, although that of course fluctuates. ALS is one of the many rare diseases that exist and probably most of the rest of the rare diseases or conditions you and I have never heard of. That is why it is important to have days like these and get more publicity about rare diseases and conditions in general. Because diseases and conditions are rare so is the information, education, support, treatment, medication, understanding. And although maybe not everyone who participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge did make a donation the estimate says every 1 in 6 did. And because of that a $115.000.000 were raised in 2014 and since The ALS Association has been able to commit $131.000.000 towards their mission, including over $89.000.000 specific to global research collaborations. So my point being is it; that it is so important to raise awareness for rare diseases and/or conditions because although it may not affect a lot of people, many are affected by it. And more awareness does make a difference.

So you may ask yourself, I could have just googled most of it, right?! Uhm yes and yes I did as well, duh. But you may not have googled it yourself if you weren't told that today is international rare disease day and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to tell you a little more about myself. So I guess I just wanted to share this a bit with you and if you want to see what you can do near your hometown there are all kinds of events worldwide which you can find on raredisease.org or maybe you know someone with a rare disease or condition you might want to read more into that. You could of course just ask them about it (depending on your relationship to the person and the person itself I guess) or google it beforehand make them feel understood and not alone. Or google rare disease and/or condition and find something you want to invest a little of your time in. I mean there are a million things you can do to contribute and create awareness. You don't have to do something big to make an impact. And even that you have just read this and may have learned a little something which makes you understand rare diseases and conditions a bit more, is a win.

A disease can make you feel very lonely even with all the love and support from your loved ones because, in the end, no one really wants to be the odd one out. That is why I wanted to start to share a little bit of my story so even if maybe you are the only person that reads this I want to say:

you are not alone!

love Poppy

sources: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_disease
https://www.rarediseaseday.org
http://www.alsa.org/

*Disclaimer: I have gathered this information from the various website as shown above and from my own experience. I do not have any medical knowledge as in I am not trained in the medical field. I have taken Rare Disease Day as an inspiration to write this blog. It is just a view of my experiences and to create awareness for rare diseases and conditions. With these provisos, I have written this blog,

Finale Heel Holland Bakt

Hej bakers! 

Tonight is the finale of 'HeelHolland Bakt' which is the Dutch version of 'The Great Brittish Bake-off'. So I thought it would be fun to share these colouring pages I have made in the past. All you have to do is click the colouring page you would like to make and you will be able to download the colouring page of your choice in PDF format. Don't forget for some baking inspiration to check out my baking page where you can find all sorts of ideas and recipes.

Have fun!

Valentines day DIY ideas

Hej everyone,

Valentine's day is just a week from now and that is why I wanted to share a couple of my previous free to download printables and Valentine's day appropriate video tutorials I have made over the past few years. For me, Valentine's day is not about the grand expensive gifts it the little things. A note, letter or card telling someone you love, whether it is your one true love, your mom, best friend or someone who just means a lot to you, to tell them why they are special to you. To bake their favourite pie or just something you made yourself especially for them. So that is why I have listed a few of my own favourite DIYs and printable's. I hope to inspire you with these to make that something special for your Valentine.

1. Beauty and the Beast rose

What flower says love more than a rose. But why not make a lasting one, one that never withers. And allthough the rose I took the inspiration from does wither I promise you this one will not. I got inspired by Beauty and the Beast to make a rose looking like the one Beast has. If you click here you can check out the step by step video tutorial on how to make this rose and don't forget to download the free printable rose pattern (click here) to get you started.

2. Oreo cupcakes

This is seriously the easiest Oreo cupcake ever. I make them all the time and people even ask for them and they are done in the blink of an eye. I don't use any type of difficult chocolate cake recipe or a hard to make topping it is actually a simple box cake divided into cupcake liners, melted white chocolate and broken Oreos. And yes that is it! If you don't believe me click here to check out my video on how I made these cupcakes.

3. Valentine's day friendships bracelet

Friendship bracelets are so much fun to make and why not give your best friend a friendship bracelet on Valentine's day because shouldn't we celebrate all those who we love. This friendship bracelet has a heart shape pattern, so whether you are indeed making this for your best friend, your mom, your lover or yourself, this makes a perfect little gift. If you want to watch the step by step video tutorial on how to make these click here.

4. Printable banner

Poppy makes... Valentine's day inspired banner

These are Valentine's day inspired printables. Just click here to open the google drive document and print or save the PDF. If you have trouble making the banner I recommend the Harry Potter-inspired banner video tutorial (click here) in which I will show you step by step how to make a banner.

5. Printable cards

Poppy makes... Valentine's day printable

This printable has 2 cards and a couple of gift tags/labels. You could just print it and use it but, you could also print it and glue it onto a piece of (coloured carton) paper. To make it a bit more durable and to give it an extra pop of colour. This way you can send a card or a gift to someone and let them know you like them. To download the printable in PDF format all you have to do is click here.

And if that all doesn't float your boat or you just can't seem to find the perfect gift why not learn to play the song kiss the girl from the little mermaid. I have learned to play this song about 2,5 years ago and I just love this song. And if you have a crush on someone wouldn't this be so lovely to serenade them with this song. In the video (click here), I will show you as always which strumming pattern I have used, which chords I have used and the words to the song. 

x Poppy

Hi I am Poppy

Hi there, maybe you have been following me here for a while or maybe it is the first time you have visited my blog. But since I haven't posted for a while I thought it would be a nice opportunity to kind of reintroduce myself. So I created Poppy Makes when I was 21 and I have always liked to crafting and baking. I like to be creative sounds so vague but it basically comes to that. I make video tutorials in which I show you how I make or bake something, which tools I have used, which tricks I have picked up along the way and these videos sometimes also include free printable patterns which I made myself. But I also make other kinds of printables like cards, calendars, mandala colouring pages etcetera and they are always free to download in PDF format. Of course, I like to scroll through all the pages of Pinterest, Instagram, just the web to find some inspiration and try to make or bake it myself. In the past two years I have picked up a new hobby and I have been learning how to play the ukelele. It has always been a dream of mine to learn to play an instrument. Although I can't say I am absolutely nailing this ukelele thing I have posted since then a couple of ukelele videos on my YouTube channel where you can follow my progress but also I show you in the videos which chords I use and strumming patterns. I am always open to new suggestions and ideas for a new video so don't be shy and come and follow me on any of my other social media channels or leave a comment down below.

love Poppy

 

Poppy Makes... Hogwarts house sorting cupcakes

Hej everyone!

It has been almost 9 months to the day since I last posted here, so it is fair
to say it has been a while. I am somewhat more consistent on my
Instagram page so please come and follow me on Instagram. But today
I have got a new baking tutorial waiting for you. All you have to do is go to
the baking page and click on the video.

Have fun!

Poppy Makes... the easiest Oreo Cupcakes ever

Hej there,

Today I have got a new baking video waiting for you on the baking page on how to make the easiest Oreo cupcakes ever. They my brother's favourite and he always makes me make them on his birthday. Please do like, share, comment the video and come follow me on any of my social media like FaceBook, Instagram and/ or Twitter. Plus if you want to get a notification every time I upload a new video please subscribe to my YouTube Channel and hit the notification bell.

x Poppy

Poppy Makes... no post today

Hej, everyone! Sorry to say that also this week I have got no new post for you. I have absolutely no voice and. I hope to make a new post upcoming week. Don't forget to check out all the pages here on my blog. On the crafting page you will find all sorts of fun crafting ideas, on the baking page all sorts of baking ideas, on the colouring pages page all sorts of colouring pages and printables (all free to download) and on the Harry Potter party page you'll find all sorts of Harry Potter inspired video tutorials and free printables. Please do follow me on any of my social media like my YouTube Channel and/or on FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter & Pinterest. Have fun!
 
x Poppy

Poppy Makes... a treasure chest surprise cake

Hej, everyone! Tomorrow the new Disney Pirates movie will be showing in theatres. That is why I thought it would be a fun idea to try out a treasure chest themed box cake. I did not (of course) follow all the instructions as said because I gave it a twist of my own and made it into a surprise cake. All you have to do is go to the baking page and see how I used a treasure chest box cake and turned it into a treasure chest surprise cake. Have fun!

x Poppy

Poppy Makes... a new Mandala colouring page

Hej, there! On the colouring pages page you will find a new FREE to download colouring page, don't forget to check out any of my other colouring pages. Have fun!

x Poppy

Poppy Makes... Mother's Day Pancake Skewers

Hej, everyone! Today I have uploaded a new video tutorial as promised inspired by Mother's Day. In this video tutorial, I will show you how to make yummy pancake skewers for you to make for your mum with her Mother's Day breakfast/brunch/lunch in bed. Just go check out the video on the baking page and don't forget if you liked the video to give it a thumbs up, subscribe to my YouTube Channel and don't forget to also checkout my other Mother's Day DIY, here on my blog. Have fun! x Poppy

Poppy Makes... Beauty and the Beast inspired cupcakes - TESTING ALIEXPRESS BOUGHT KITCHEN GADGETS

Hej, everyone! It has been a while but there is a new baking tutorial waiting for you on the baking page. It is not a baking tutorial as you know of me but in this tutorial, I am testing AliExpress bought kitchen gadgets. And not just any gadgets but kitchen gadgets that should help you make gorgeous sugar paste roses. And that, of course, all to stay in the Beauty and the Beast theme. Have fun! x Poppy